The proposed bill amends Minnesota Statutes to require proof of lawful presence in the United States for individuals applying for a driver's license or identification card. It introduces new legal language emphasizing the legislature's intent to enhance safety and comply with federal law, specifically mandating that applicants under 18 years of age must provide proof of legal presence. The bill stipulates that individuals who do not provide this proof will be ineligible for a driver's license. Additionally, it modifies the application process to ensure that all applications include proof of lawful presence, while removing previous provisions that allowed for the issuance of licenses without proof of citizenship or immigration status.

Furthermore, the bill addresses the handling of personal information related to noncompliant licenses and identification cards, granting the commissioner the authority to refuse data disclosure if it may be used for illegal purposes. It also sets new requirements for the secretary of state regarding the retention and sharing of personal information, limiting data retention to 60 days and allowing sharing only for election administration purposes. Key changes include the removal of language that previously mandated the use of data for increasing voter registration and altering the commissioner's authority regarding data sharing with federal immigration enforcement. Violations of these provisions could result in penalties under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, with the act set to take effect on October 1, 2025, for applications and issuance of licenses made thereafter.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 171.04, 171.06, 171.07, 171.12, 171.1205